JEDDAH, 24 May 2003 — A fire broke out in the electrical room at Bugshan Center off Tahlia Road, which houses Danube supermarket and several other businesses, just before Maghreb prayers.
Bobby Vargas, 31, an employee at Danube, who first spotted the fire, told Arab News at the scene: “I was working in the back of my store when I smelled the fire.
“I went outside and saw the smoke rising from the building and went to call security. The security guard called the fire department and they got here in about seven minutes or so.”
There was no damage to any of the businesses, and the electrical service was not interrupted.
Mario Tolentino, 40, assistant manager at a neighboring dive store, was surprised at the news of the fire. “I didn’t hear any alarms ringing,” he said.
“I did hear the fire trucks driving by with the sirens blaring. I wasn’t aware of the fire until you asked me.”
Four fire tankers responded, but only one actually took part in putting out the minor blaze.
A fire lieutenant told Arab News: “We have been in a higher state of readiness since the Riyadh bombings.
“We responded quickly and had the fire under control in a few minutes. There was minimal damage to the electrical room and no injuries.”
It was business as usual at the center after Maghreb prayers.
